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PAGE 10 NEWS LEADER MAY 10, 2012Tips for controlling mosquitoesBy Master Sgt. Tiffany Oliver559th Public Health FlightDue to the amplerains that Texas hasexperienced this spring,the insect population isthriving, to include mosquitoes.Not only are mosquitoesannoying, butthey can also transmitdiseases to humans.Some diseases thatare transmitted bymosquitoes in Texas areCourtesy PhotoStaff Sgt. Daniel Rodriguez collects mosquitoes from a Mosquito LightTrap at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base May 1. Thetraps are used to collect mosquitoes that are frozen and sent to theArmy Public Health Command for identification and testing for possibleviruses. Rodriguez is a technician with the 559th Public Health Flight.West Nile Virus, Easternand Western EquineEncephalitis, St LouisEncephalitis and DengueFever.The number of reportedcases of mosquito-borneillnesses usuallypeaks at the end of thesummer as these virusesare amplified in the wildbird populations over thecourse of the summer.To minimize the annoyancefactor and therisk of disease transmission,Public Healthrecommends the followingsimple preventionmeasures:• Drain sources ofstanding water wheremosquitoes may breed,such as cans, tires, roofdrains, tree holes, puddlesbelow outdoor watertaps, saucers underflower pots, infrequentlyused hot tubs, etc.• Keep water fresh(change the water oftenso it does not stagnate)in pet bowls, birdbaths,and wading pools.• Make sure screens onwindows and doors arein good repair.• Dress in protectiveclothing (long-sleeveshirts and pants) whenoutside.• Limit outdoor activitiesbetween dusk and dawn.• When outside, useinsect repellent containingDEET or picaridin onuncovered skin.Additional informationon specific diseases canbe accessed at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/arbdet.htmFor additional information,contact the559th Public HealthFlight at 671-9623/9625.JROTC CADETS VISIT FSHPhoto by Kathy SalazarHighlands High School Army JROTC Cadet Cpl. Anita Manjarrez stops to admire the PhilippineScouts Heritage of Valor display from 1902 through 1974 at the Fort Sam Houston Museum May3. The group of cadets visited Brenner and NCO Barracks, the Department of Combat Medicine,Engagement Skills Trainer and dined with service members during their tour of Joint Base SanAntonio-Fort Sam Houston.
MAY 10, 2012 NEWS LEADER PAGE 11Army keenly aware of unique mental, physicalstressors facing Soldiers, familiesBy Kirk FradyArmy Medical CommandPublic AffairsAfter more than 10years of combat on twoseparate fronts necessitatingmultiple combatdeployments and theassociated family separations,the Army is keenlyaware of unique mentaland physical stressorsfacing Soldiers and theirfamilies.The Army is joiningthe nation in recognizingNational Mental HealthMonth throughout themonth of May.According to the Armydatabase, eight percent ofSoldiers deployed between2001 and 2011 receiveda mental health diagnosisof post-traumatic stressdisorder.But, while not allSoldiers deployed receivedthis diagnosis, manyexperienced related symptomsthat could benefitfrom behavioral healthtreatment.Military researchersnote that approximately15 percent of Soldiersdeployed during OperationIraqi Freedom experiencedpost traumaticstress symptoms, andanother 10 to 15percentwill experience otherbehavioral health-relatedproblems.Despite these statistics,overall, the total Armyrate of Soldiers with abehavioral health diagnosisis consistent with thatof the general US population,at 5.9 percent versus6 percent, according toLt. Cdr. Kathleen Watkins,chief of the administrativebranch, Behavioral HealthDivision, at the Office ofthe Surgeon General.“The Army is committedto decreasing thestigma associated withseeking behavioral healthcare,”Watkins said.“It is important thatSoldiers and familiesunderstand that issuesresulting from deploymentare treatable, usuallycurable and with propertreatment, the majorityof people with behavioralhealth issues can returnto productive and engaginglives.”To help Soldiers andfamilies better cope withthese stressors associatedwith combat and familyseparations, the Armyoffers an array of mentalhealth services at militarytreatment facilitiesacross the Army and aswell as in the theaters ofoperations.In theater, combat andoperational stress controlteams are forward deployedto provide psychologicalcare to combatantsas close to the battle aspossible. Additionally,behavioral health professionalsare assigned toMTFs wherever Soldiersare deployed.“In fiscal year 2012,the Army is increasingbehavioral health teamsassigned to all its brigadesize operational units thatwill provide two behavioralhealth providers andtwo behavioral healthtechnicians assigned toevery Brigade CombatTeam, Support Brigadeand Sustainment Brigadein the Active, Reserveand National Guard ArmySee HEALTH, P15
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